By
Emily Severson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
150 more families participated than last year
About 1600 UA students and parents tail-gated at the sold-out barbecue before the football game Saturday.
The University of Arizona Mall was filled with families socializing and eating at the gathering organized by the University Activities Board.
"We are very impressed by the turn out ," said Garret Hanson, director of meals and facilities for UAB. "We've sold out this year."
Most of the families that attended were freshman families and were happy with their first experience at the university, said Allison Johnston, UAB guest services director.
This year 1100 families registered to attend various Family Weekend events, which is 150 more families than last year. UAB sold 2,982 tickets to the football game and 1,555 adults and 53 children's tickets for the barbecue.
"I hope we have a bigger crowd next year, we've grown every year and hopefully it will continue," said Daniel Peck, executive director of the family weekend staff.
Tables for the barbecue were set up on the Mall and decorated with white balloons.
While no entertainment was planned for the event, the UA Parents Association surprised the crowd by arranging for 17 members of the UA Alumni band to play.
UA parent Yvonne Sanchez came to Family Weekend to visit her freshman son and so her daughter, a high school junior, could look at the school as well.
"So far, this weekend has been wonderful, we came from Ann Arbor, Michigan and are very happy. Everything has been really well organized, we have had no problems getting tickets or information about anything," Sanchez said.
After attending most of the festivities for the last time, Nick Lee, civil engineering senior, said he was impressed with the way it was set up.
"I think it is a nice touch that the university offered a chance for parents to share the tailgate experience with their children at the barbecue," Lee said.
Most families were taking advantage of the high attendance to meet other families and share experiences about the weekend.
"The barbecue was pretty well organized. I have been to a lot of things this weekend that were poorly implemented, but this worked out well, it was cool," said Nick Monaghan, a communication freshman.
The members of UAB organized everything from setting up the tables to making sure that people eating had bought tickets.
"The barbecue was very well organized, it was good and the food was excellent," said Lindsey Platt, an undeclared freshman.
The barbecue was moved from its past location at Bear Down Field to the lawn east of the Old Main building because of space constraints due to construction.
"It is going great, very smooth in my opinion," Johnston said.
The events at the barbecue died down just before the game as the crowd began to walk to Arizona Stadium to watch the game against Washington State University.
The money made by UAB was used to cover the cost of the event and did not make a profit for the university.
"Everything ran really smoothly, a lot of people really enjoyed the food. "We're really proud and very psyched about the sell-out," said Hanson, who is also a business administration sophomore.
The Parents Association gives UAB a complete UA student list and they send brochures about family weekend events out to everyone in June, Johnston said.
Some families who were not registered in advance were disappointed because they were not able to buy tickets at the event if they had not paid the $10 registration fee.
